On a sunny afternoon on September 18 I had the pleasure of facilitating a meeting between two men I have huge respect and admiration for – the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, Bishop of Reading, and Imam Mohamed Boulaatour of Abu Bakr Masjid (Oxford Road Mosque).

Although it marks a little moment in the history of Reading, the meeting itself was a very humble affair.

Drinking that very British but very universal of all beverages, tea, in plastic cups and sharing a simple food of the Prophets, the wholesome date (no cutlery required) kind of symbolised the union; the innately spiritual act of giving and receiving.

The conversation was genuinely warm yet was still able to touch on hard issues faced by Christians and Muslims.

It was quite remarkable how easily the two slipped into full and frank ‘chat-mode’.

Clearly their backgrounds played a part. Both have experienced “other” cultures and are multilingual.

Andrew can speak Amharic (a Semitic language, and one of the most difficult to learn) from the nine years he lived in Ethiopia.

Mohamed can speak several European languages as well as Urdu and of course Arabic (also a Semitic language).

With language comes an appreciation and understanding of culture.

And their multi-cultural skillsets were certainly firing on all cylinders as the conversation got into full flow!

The common medium was of course English.

Whilst knowing another language is obviously advantageous, simple gestures of human kindness, mutual respect and understanding are universal and can have profound effects for the common good of us all.

Fancy a cuppa?

“O Humankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may get to know each other (not that you may hate each other). [Qur’an 49:13].